Tatum vs. Banchero: Magic Secure First-Round Showdown with Defending Champion Celtics

The Boston Celtics will face the Orlando Magic in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Orlando finished the season as the seventh seed in the East, pitting them against the eighth-seeded Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament.

On Tuesday, April 15, Orlando overcame Atlanta 120-95, booking their place against Joe Mazzulla's Celtics. As such, we will get a stellar matchup between Duke standouts Jayson Tatum and Paolo Banchero.

It's worth noting that Orlando is one of the few teams to boast a winning record over Boston. In the last 10 meetings between these two squads, the Magic are 6-4. The length and physicality Jamahl Mosley has available in his rotation allow the Magic to match up well with the Celtics.

Jalen Suggs, who is out for the season after undergoing surgery on his left knee, will be a notable loss for the Magic. However, even if Suggs were available, his presence wouldn't make much of a difference.

Orlando may have a favorable regular-season record over Boston in recent years, but the postseason is a different beast. Not only are the Celtics the reigning champions, they're also one of the most experienced postseason rosters in the NBA right now. This team has been embarking on deep playoff runs for the best part of a decade.

That level of experience will likely prove insurmountable for a Magic team that is still firmly in the developmental stages. Sure, Orlando could steal a game. Heck, they could even push the series to six. But, they're unlikely to cause the type of upset that would send reverberations around the NBA – although stranger things have happened.

Celtics' Jaylen Brown is expected to be ready to go

Jaylen Brown missed the final three games of the Celtics' season. He's been dealing with a bone bruise in his knee. That injury has limited his burst, lateral quickness and explosiveness. However, when speaking to the media on April 15, Al Horford shared his expectation that Brown will be ready and able once the playoffs begin for Boston on Sunday, April 20.

“He looked great today,” Horford said. “I was very happy to see him out there doing everything. It’s a really good sign for us. To answer your question, it’s tough. I feel like there’s a lot of things that he kind of has to deal with when you’re in that position. Jaylen is very strong mentally. I feel like he finds a way. He’s the type where he’s out here, putting in the work and trying to get himself ready to go. He understands what’s in front of us. I know that, mentally, he’s going to be in a good place. I’m just excited to see him go from this point forward.”

Brown is unlikely to be at 100%. As such, we will likely see him take a slight step back in terms of role, likely pushing Kristaps Porzingis into a bigger role. Nevertheless, Brown's presence will be integral. Franz Wagner is no slouch and will pose a threat throughout the series, as will Jonathan Isaac.

Even with Brown below his best, Boston should still have enough experience, talent and know-how to overcome the Magic. BUT, that doesn't mean the series will be a cakewalk.

In fact, I'm on record saying that Orlando was the team I would rather have avoided, primarily due to how well they seem to play against the Celtics. That ship has sailed now. So, let's get out Celtics gear at the ready and prepare for what is undoubtedly going to be a highly competitive series, hopefully full of some elite hoops and coaching chess battles.